Workspaces
AutoCAD workspaces are sets of menus, toolbars and dockable windows (such as the Properties palette, DesignCenter, and the Tool palettes window) that are grouped and organized so that you can work in a custom, task-oriented drawing environment. 1. Click the Workspace Switching icon.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 1. SteeringWheels. You can start a navigation tool by clicking a wedge or by clicking and dragging the cursor over a wedge.” are divided into wedges. each wedge contains a single navigation tool. Click the Full Navigation Wheel icon.7 Steering Wheel
SteeringWheels are menus that track the cursor over the drawing window. or “wheels.
Full Navigation Wheel
1.
-9-
. and provide access to 2D and 3D navigation tools from a single interface.

Click a point on the compass to define the viewing angle.614.
Point in the center of the compass is the “ north pole”. looking straight down at the drawing
Middle ring of the compass is the “equator”. Tripod
. looking straight up at the drawing.14 -
.0. looking straight on at the drawing. Command: VPOINT Rotate/<Viewpoint><-0.
Entire outer ring is the “south pole”.-0. Choose View. The compass represents a two dimensional globe. Viewpoint or 2. 1.500>: PRESS ENTER 3. Type VPOINT at the command prompt.8 VPOINT Command (Tripod)
Displays a compass and tripod for defining a view rotation. 3D Views.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 1.614.

0000>: 3 7.2” rectangle using in the LINE command in the left view.19 -
. 5.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 2.1 Thickness Command
1. 3. Viewports. Command: THICKNESS Enter new value for THICKNESS <0. 6. ENTER for the default of two vertical viewports. PLAN and World in the left viewport.
. 2 Viewports. THICKNESS at the command prompt. View. 2. Begin Choose Press Type Choose Type a new drawing using a 3D Modeling workspace. SE Isometric for the right viewport. Draw a 5”. The lines will have a 3D “thickness” that can be seen in the 3D view. 4.

2 Change Existing Thickness
1.
. Type a new line thickness.
The result is a new line thickness for the selected object.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 2.20 -
. 2.g. Properties…or right click and choose Properties… 3. Choose Modify. one line of the rectangle you drew in 2. Select the object whose thickness you would like to change (e.1.

0000>: 1.00 two circles in the left view at the new elevation.3 Elevation
Stores the elevation for new objects relative to the current UCS for the current space. 1. Type ELEVATION at the command prompt. Command: ELEVATION Enter new value for ELEVATION <0.
2.21 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 2.
Draw
. Note that they appear to be “floating” 1 unit above the ground.

000>: .22 -
.
Draw
.4 Elevation Shortcut
1.0000>: 2 Specify new default thickness: <3. Type ELEV at the command prompt.
2.5 a new line in the left view to see the elevation and thickness settings. Command: ELEV Specify new default elevation: <1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 2.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 3. View.2 Visual Styles
A visual style is a collection of settings that control the display of edges and shading in the viewport. Visual Styles and one of the following style options.
.25 -
.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

Visual Styles.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 3. 3D Wireframe. 1. and its settings are displayed in the panel below the sample images.27 -
. 3. Choose Type Choose View. Command: VISUALSTYLES the desired option from one of those available in the drawing for 2D Wireframe.3 Visual Style Manager
The Visual Styles Manager displays sample images of the visual styles available in the drawing. Visual Styles Manager… or VISUALSTYLES at the command prompt. or Conceptual options. The selected visual style is indicated by a yellow border. 3D Hidden.
. 2. Realistic.

4 Visual Styles Panel
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 3.28 -
.

2. Type DSETTINGS at the command prompt. Command: DSETTINGS
TIP:
You can turn the adaptive grid on/off from the status bar.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 3.
. The rectangular grid supports perspective. provides color options. and the Snap and Grid TAB.5 Adaptive 3D Grid
When you choose a shaded or 3D wireframe visual style. and can automatically control the grid density when zooming in or out (adaptive grid. Choose Tools. the grid changes from a dotted grid to a rectangular grid.) You can change the grid settings using the drafting settings dialog box. Drafting Settings. The new grid provides a better sense of a model’s orientation in 3D. can display major and minor grid lines. 1.29 -
.

30 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
AutoCAD 3D – Chapter 4 Z Coordinates
.

Z) is similar to entering 2D coordinates (X.2. 3DPoly at the command prompt.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 4.0
The result will be the following lines that are drawn in 3D:
.0 Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: 1. 2.
1.31 -
.1 Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: 2.Y.Y).2.1.1. In addition to specifying X and Y values. Command: 3DPOLY Specify start point of polyline: 1.1. you specify a Z value.1 3D Coordinates
Entering 3D Cartesian coordinates (X.1 Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: 2.
Open Type
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.0 Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: 1.

Press
F11 or click OSnap Tracking on the status bar if it is not already on. when Ortho mode is turned on.32 -
.
2.
Draw
a line in the 3D view in the Z direction using tracking.
. you can track in the Z direction as well as in the XY plane.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 4. Similarly.
1.
Press
F10 or click Polar Tracking on the status bar if it is not already on.2 Track in Z Direction
With AutoTrack (polar tracking and object snap tracking).
3. you can lock the cursor to the Z direction.

3 Move in Z Direction
1. 2. MOVE at the command prompt.1 or use polar tracking to move the object.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 4.0. Open Type a drawing with 3D objects in it. Command: move Select objects: pick object in 3D view Select objects: press enter Specify base point or displacement: Specify second point of displacement or <use first point as displacement>: 0.
before move
after move
.33 -
.

34 -
.
endpoint to filter
Use the CIRCLE command and place it using 3D point filters (.2500>: press enter
.XY of pick endpoint to filter (need Z): 1 Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <0.xy) Command: CIRCLE Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: .AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 4. Open a drawing with 3D objects in it.4 3D Point Filters
Draws in 3D Z direction by filtering X and Y coordinates. 1.

or UCSICON at the command prompt. Turns off the display of the UCSICON. 2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5. It also represents the current viewing direction relative to the XY plane.0 origin of the current UCS. Changes the display properties of the UCS icons(s). 3D and Paper Space environments.
. Always displays the UCS at the lower left corner. UCS Icon. AutoCAD displays the UCS icon differently for 2D. Display. Command: ucsicon Enter an option [ON/OFF/All/Noorigin/ORigin/Properties] <ON>:
ON OFF All Noorigin Origin Properties
Displays the UCS icon.
3D UCS icons
2D UCSIcon
Pspace UCSICON
1.0. Shows the UCS at the 0.1 UCS Icon
The UCS icon represents the orientation of the user coordinate system (UCS) axes and the location of the current UCS origin.
Choose Type
View. Affects the display of the UCSICON in all viewports.37 -
.

Saves or restores a UCS. parallel to your screen). There are a variety of ways to set the User Coordinate System using the UCS command. and viewing. Face.g. Z Establishes a new UCS whose XY plane is perpendicular to your viewing direction (e. Z Axis.
Type
UCS at the command prompt. planes of operation. Most AutoCAD geometric editing commands are dependent on the location and orientation of the UCS. 3 Point. Restores the previos UCS.39 -
. Lets you define a new UCS by pointing at an object.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5. Command: UCS Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z/ ZAxis] <World>: Aligns the UCS to the selected face of a solid object. View X. Defines a new coordinate system by one of six methods: Origin. Y. Object.2 UCS Overview
The user coordinate system provides an alternate movable coordinate system for coordinate entry.
1. Restores the world UCS Rotates the ucs around a specified axis
Face Named Object Previous New
View
World X/Y/Z
UCS Toolbars Found under the AutoCAD Classic Toolbars
.

00>: pick point for Y direction
Positive Y
New 0.0 origin
Positive X
.73.73.00>: pick point for X direction Specify point on positive-Y portion of the UCS XY plane <2.53. Open a drawing with a simple 3D object (e.53.8.40 -
. Command: UCS Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y /Z /ZAxis] <World>:N Specify origin of new UCS or [ZAxis/3point/OBject/ Face/View/X/Y/Z] <0. Type UCS at the command prompt.0.3 New (3 Point) UCS
The 3 Point option is one of the easiest ways to define a new UCS on a given 3D object.g.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.0.0>: pick origin Specify point on positive portion of X-axis <3.0>: 3 Specify new origin point <0. 3D box) 2.0.0.0.7. 1.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
New UCS
TIP: You can also click the dropdown beside WCS and click New UCS.
.41 -
.

1. New entities that you draw will be in relation to this current UCS. use the PLAN command with the current UCS option.
Type
PLAN at the command prompt.4 Plan UCS
To work in the plan view of your new UCS.42 -
. Command: PLAN Enter an option [Current ucs/Ucs/World] <Current>: PRESS ENTER
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.

1. Command: UCS Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y /Z /ZAxis] <World>:W
. This is the UCS you should use when creating Wblocks and inserting Wblocks.43 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.5 World UCS
The World UCS is the only UCS guaranteed to be the same in all AutoCAD drawings and can be used to set the UCS back to its original state. Type UCS at the command prompt.

7 Dynamic UCS
You can use the dynamic UCS to create objects on a planar face of a 3D solid without manually changing the UCS orientation. specified points.
1.
Move
the cursor to the face of the 3D object on which you Would like to draw. and drawing tools. When the dynamic UCS is active. During a command.45 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.
5. any draw command. the dynamic UCS temporarily aligns the XY plane of the UCS with a planar face of a 3D solid when you move the cursor over the face. Command: CIRCLE
4.
Press Type
CTRL +D.
. 1. such as polar tracking and the grid. are all relative to the temporary UCS established by the dynamic UCS. 3.
Click
to begin drawing your new object.
Click
the DUCS icon or
on the status bar
2.

Type
UCS at the command prompt.
1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.8 Naming a UCS
User coordinate systems can sometimes be complicated and it is often useful to name and save them so you can quickly recall them. Command: UCS Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z /ZAxis] <World>NA Enter an option [Restore/Save/Delete/?]: S Enter name to save current UCS or [?]: LeftSide
.46 -
.

1. Command: UCS Specify origin of UCS or [Face/NAmed/OBject/Previous/View/World/X/Y/Z /ZAxis] <World>NA Enter an option [Restore/Save/Delete/?]: R Enter name to save current UCS or [?]: LeftSide
.9 Restoring a UCS
A named and saved UCS can be restored at any time.47 -
.
Type
UCS at the command prompt.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5.

The ViewCube also shows the current UCS and allows you to restore a named UCS.10 Viewcube
The ViewCube provides visual feedback about the current orientation of a model. The orientation shown by the ViewCube is based on the North direction of the WCS for the model.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 5. The ViewCube can help you adjust the viewpoint of a model.49 -
.
.

50 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
AutoCAD 3D – Chapter 6 3D Orbit
.

Click
and drag to move your object in 3D. the target of the view stays stationary and the camera location. In this way.51 -
. Constrained Orbit. from the user's point of view. You can view your entire drawing or select one or more objects before starting the command.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects. View. or point of view.
. 2.
Type
3D Orbit at the command prompt. However.
1. it appears as if the 3D model is turning as the mouse cursor is dragged. When 3DORBIT is active.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6. you can specify any view of the model. moves around the target. Command: 3DOrbit
4. or
3. Orbit.1 Constrained 3D Orbit
3DORBIT activates a 3D Orbit view in the current viewport.

52 -
. 2.2 Zoom and Pan in 3D Orbit
Zoom
1. Zoom Previous or Zoom Extents.
.
Zoom Click Choose
to a new area of the 3D drawing. to a new area of the drawing. 4. Pan. 6.
3.
Pan
1. Zoom Window from the pop-up menu. Click Choose Choose Pan Click Choose Choose the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command. 4. 3. Other Navigation Modes from the pop-up menu. the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command. Other Navigation Modes from the pop-up menu. 7. Click Choose the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command. the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command. 5. Constrained Orbit to set the mode back to orbit. 2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6. 5.

Click Choose the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command. 2. The shapes are somewhat distorted when the object is very close. The shapes in your drawing always remain the same and do not appear distorted when they are closer. and parts of the objects appear larger and closer to you. Objects appear to recede into the distance.3 Projection Mode
1. Parallel view displays objects so that two parallel lines in a drawing never con verge at a single point.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6.
Perspective view displays objects in perspective so that all parallel lines converge at one point.53 -
.
Perspective View
Parallel View
. Perspective. This view correlates more closely to what your eye sees.

6 Preset Views
Sets the 3D view while in the orbit command 1. 2.56 -
.
. 3.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6. Preset Views from the pop-up menu. one of the following standard 3D views. Click Choose Choose the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command.

Outside the Arcball . Choose Click View.
Inside the Arcball .Rotates around the “X” axis through the center.57 -
. one of the 3D Orbit Arcball locations to move the display of your object(s).Rotates around the “Y” axis through the center.7 Free Orbit
1.Allows movement in any direction
Inside one of the small circles to the top/bottom . The 3D Orbit Arcball appears. 2. Free Orbit.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6. Orbit.
.Moves View about an axis that extends through the center (acts like twist)
Inside one of the small circles to the left/right .

59 -
.
Walk (6)
Changes the cursor to a plus sign and enables you to "walk through" a model at a fixed height above the XY plane. 3. by dynamically controlling the location and target of the camera.
Swivel (5)
Changes the cursor to an arched arrow and simulates the effect of swiveling the camera.
Pan (9)
.9 Other Navigational Modes
1. Click Choose Choose the right mouse button while in the 3D Orbit command.
Adjust Distance (4)
Simulates moving the camera closer to the object or farther away.
Zoom (8)
Changes the cursor to a magnifying glass with plus (+) and minus (-) sign and simulates moving the camera closer to an object or farther away. 2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 6. Other Navigational Modes from the pop-up menu. one of the following modes. Pans the drawing while in the 3D Oribit. Works like the Adjust Distance option.
Fly (7)
Changes the cursor to a plus sign and enables you to "fly through" a model without being restricted to a fixed height above the XY plane.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 7. Southwest Isometric to be sure you are not in an existing camera view. 3D Views. the plus (+) sign beside Model Views. Set Current. it becomes a named view in the drawing and can be viewed using the Named View Manager. 4. 3. You can also view the camera using the view option when creating the camera.
1. Camera1.
2.2 Viewing a Camera
Once a camera is created.62 -
.
Choose
View. Apply. Named Views.
View from Camera
.
Choose Click Click
View. and OK.

3 Camera Preview
Camera preview is a quick and easy way to see the properties of a camera before viewing from the camera.
The Camera Preview dialog box will show the view from the chosen camera.
Choose
View.
2. once on a camera in your view. 3D Views.
Zoom Click
out until you see the camera in your 3D view.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 7. 3. You can change the Visual style of this preview by clicking the Visual Style dropdown.63 -
.
.
1. Southwest Isometric to be sure you are not in an existing camera view.

3.
Choose
View.8 Walk and Fly
You can simulate walking and flying through a 3D drawing. a camera anywhere in the drawing and set the view to that camera. The following shortcuts are available for walking: Up arrow / W key Down arrow / S key Left arrow / A key Right arrow / D key Drag mouse Move forward Move backward Move left Move right Look around & turn
1. When you walk through a model. so you appear to “fly” over an area in a model.69 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 7.
.
Type
3DWalk or 3DFky at the command prompt. or
4. you travel along the XY plane. When you fly through a model. you are not constrained by the XY plane. and Walk.
Open Create
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view. Walk and Fly. Command: 3DWALK
The following Position Locator dialog box will appear that you can use to navigate your drawing. 2.

.
Close
the Position Locator dialog box and try walking and flying using only the keys on the keyboard and mouse. Move the camera and target in the Position Locator dialog box.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
5.
8. 6. Press the Up. and Right keys on the keyboard to see how the camera location moves in the drawing and Position Locator dialog box. Down.70 -
. 7. Click and drag your mouse to “fly” through the drawing. Left.

Type WALKFLYSETTINGS at the command prompt. similar to the scale of the drawing. Command: WALKFLYSETTINGS 3. Choose View. Walk and Hide Settings. or 2.
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 7.9 Walk and Fly Settings
1. Choose one of the following settings from the Walk and Fly dialog box. be sure to set your drawing units to a large number.71 -
.
If you are working in a drawing with a large architectural scale. Walk and Hide.

7. 6. Path under the Link target to: option on the line or polyline path. Open Draw a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view. duration. Path2 as the default path name. 8.
Select Click Type Select Click Type Change
Path under the Link camera to: option the line or polyline path. Path1 as the default path name.
Type
ANIPATH at the command prompt. other animation settings such as the frames per second.
Choose
View. or
4. 11.72 -
. 9. Command: ANIPATH
5. etc. resolution.
. Motion Path Animations. 2.10 Animation Paths
1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 7. a line or polyline representing a path for an animation
3. 10.

Play
your animation in a PC or MacIntosh video review application such as Media Player or Quicktime. Choose the Preview…button to preview your animation.73 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
12.
14.
Close
the animation preview and click OK to create an animation file.
13.
.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
AutoCAD 3D – Chapter 8 3D Model Objects
.74 -
.

Wireframe lines in 3D
. Because each object that makes up a wireframe model must be independently drawn and positioned. lines. and curves that describe the edges of the object.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 8. With AutoCAD you can create wireframe models by positioning 2D objects anywhere in 3D space.1 Wireframes
A wireframe model is a skeletal description of a 3D object. it consists only of points. There are no surfaces in a wireframe model. such as 3D polylines (that can only have a CONTINUOUS linetype) and splines. this type of modeling can be the most time-consuming. AutoCAD also provides some 3D wireframe objects.75 -
.

Because the faces of the mesh are planar. the mesh can only approximate curved surfaces.76 -
. The AutoCAD surface modeler defines faceted surfaces using a polygonal mesh. but also its surfaces.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 8.
.2 Surfaces
Surface modeling is more sophisticated than wireframe modeling in that it defines not only the edges of a 3D object.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 8. spheres.3 Solids
Solid modeling is the easiest type of 3D modeling to use.77 -
. You can then combine these shapes to create more complex solids by joining or subtracting them or finding their intersecting (over. cylinders.
. You can also create solids by sweeping a 2D object along a path or revolving it about an axis. With the AutoCAD solid modeler. you can make 3D objects by creating basic 3D shapes: boxes. and tori (do. cones. wedges.nuts).lapping) volume.

3. 1.80 -
. Begin Set Type a new drawing.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 9. 3DFACE at the command prompt.2 3D Faces
3DFACE creates a three or four sided surface anywhere in 3D space. 2. You can specify different Z coordinates for each corner point of a 3D face. 3DFACE differs from SOLID. Command: 3DFACE First point: pick Second point: pick Third point: pick Fourth point: pick Third point: enter
3D Wireframe Lines
3D Face
. which creates a three. the visual style to Conceptual.or four-sided surface that is parallel to the current UCS and can be extruded.

81 -
.
. 3DFACE at the command prompt.Type 3DFACE at the command prompt. the visual style to Conceptual. Draw Set Type an irregular shaped object similar to the one shown below.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 9.3 3D Face Invisible Edge
With 3DFACE. Entering i or invisible before the first point of an edge makes the edge invisible. 3. allowing accurate modeling of objects with holes. 2. Command: 3DFACE First point: P1 Second point: P2 Third point: i P3 Fourth point: P4 Third point: i P5 Fourth point: P6 Third point: P7 Fourth point: P8 Third point: enter NOTE: You must enter an “i” for invisible before the face is chosen. you control which edges of a 3D face are visible. 1.

Always Specifies that the crease is always retained.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 10. 1. Command: MESHCREASE Select mesh subobjects to crease: select objects Specify crease value [Always] <Always>: enter
Before crease
Selected objects
After crease
TIPS: Crease value Sets highest smoothing level at which the crease is retained. Enter a value of 0 to remove an existing crease.5 Add and Remove Mesh Creases
Meshcrease
Sharpens the edges of selected mesh subobjects. Type MESHCREASE at the command prompt. the crease is also smoothed.99 -
. even if the object or subobject is smoothed or refined. If the smoothing level exceeds this value. A crease value of -1 is the same as Always.
.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 11. A network surface also can be created from curves that are not all connected. The resulting surface can be either a procedural surface or a NURBS surface.10 Surface Network
One way to create surfaces is with a network of curves. Command: SURFNETWORK
. The SURFNETWORK command creates a surface similar to a lofted surface from a network of curves in the U and V directions. Type SURFNETWORK at the command prompt. 1.116 -
.

1. The resulting surface can be either a procedural surface or a NURBS surface.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 11. Type REVOLVE at the command prompt.117 -
.11 Revolve Surface
One way to create surfaces is with a network of curves. Command: REVOLVE Current wire frame density: ISOLINES=4. A network surface also can be created from curves that are not all connected. The SURFNETWORK command creates a surface similar to a lofted surface from a network of curves in the U and V directions. Closed profiles creation mode = Surface Select objects to revolve or [MOde]: select object Select objects to revolve or [MOde]: press enter Specify axis start point or define axis by [Object/X/Y/Z] <Object>: select endpoints of sxis Specify axis endpoint: Specify angle of revolution or [STart angle/Reverse/EXpression] <360>: press enter
.

The way the stripes line up where two surfaces meet helps analyze the tangency and curvature of the intersection.17 Surface Analysis
Analysis Zebra
Projects parallel lines onto a model to help you analyze surface continuity. 1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 11. Command: ANALYSISZEBRA
Analysis Curvature
Displays a color gradient onto a surface so you can evaluate the high and low areas of curvature. Command: ANALYSISCURVATURE
. 1.127 -
. Type ANALYSISZEBRA at the command prompt.. Type ANALYSISCURVATURE at the command prompt.

Type ANALYSISDRAFT at the command prompt. Command: ANALYSISDRAFT
.128 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
Analysis Draft
Displays a color gradient onto a surface so you can evaluate if a model has adequate draft between a part and its mold 1.

Parametric constraints restrict the relative position of one object to another.129 -
. For example. you can specify that the height of a surface is always one half of the length of a solid box. When one of the sides is stretched and reshaped. the arc that was extruded to create the surface is locked in a fixed position. all associated surfaces adjust accordingly. the boat is made up of four surfaces. When you edit the associated surface. In this illustration. Mathematical expressions can be applied to surface properties such as radius and height.
. the arc surface stays in place. Associativity also allows you to apply mathematical expressions and parametric constraints to surfaces. any associated surface is adjusted automatically. Use the SURFACEASSOCIATIVITY system variable to turn associativity on and off.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 11. In this example.18 Work with Associative Surfaces and Constraints SURFACEASSOCIATIVITY
Like hatch and dimensions. surfaces can also be associative. When a surface is moved or modified.

or circle to a solid with a rectangular profile. but the profile is always rectangular by default.2 Polysolid Command
With the POLYSOLID command. Command: polysolid Specify start point or [Object/Height/Width/Justify] <Object>: h Specify height <0'-4">: 10 Specify start point or [Object/Height/Width/Justify] <Object>: o Select object: Pick polygon
. A polysolid can have curved segments.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 12. 2D polyline.
2.
1. arc.
Type
POLYSOLID at the command prompt.
Open
a drawing with a closed 2D polyline and display in a 3D view.132 -
. you can convert an existing line.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 13.140 -
.
Type
CONVTSOLID at the command prompt. Command: convtosolid Select objects: pick circle or polyline 1 found Select objects: press enter
. Convert to Solid.
Choose
Modify.
Open
a drawing with 2D polylines or circles with thicknesses and display in a 3D view.
2. zero-width polylines with thickness Circles with thickness You cannot use CONVTOSOLID with polylines that contain vertices with 0 width or that contain segments of variable width
1. With the CONVTOSOLID command.1 Convert to Solid
Converts polylines and circles with thickness to 3D solids. 3D Operation. you can convert the following objects into extruded 3D solids: Uniform-width wide polylines with thickness Closed. or
3.

Type
INTERFERE at the command prompt.
Choose
Modify.
Select second set of objects or [Nested selection/checK first set] <checK>: pick rectangle and press enter Solids that interfere will highlight in red. or
3.
Open
a drawing with 3D objects that overlap and display in a 3D view.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 14.
. 3D Operations.
2.5 Interference Checking
Highlights 3D solids that overlap.157 -
.
1. Interference Checking. Command: INTERFERE Select first set of objects or [Nested selection/Settings]: pick solids surrounding rectangle and and press enter.

158 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
The following dialog box allows you to change the zoom and display of the drawing to better see the interfering objects. You can also choose to retain the interference objects by turning the check box off for “Delete interference objects created on Close”
.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 15. regions. Imprint. 2. Imprinting is limited to the following objects: arcs. The object to be imprinted must intersect one or more faces on the selected solid in order for imprinting to be successful. 6. circles. ellipses. lines. a 3D solid: pick solid an object to imprint: pick circle the source object <N>: Y
. 4. walls) to create a solid object. Solid Editing. the UCS and draw an object on a face of one of the walls. and 3D solids 1. splines. 3. Extrude Change Choose Select Select Delete objects (i. Modify. 5.6 Imprint
Imprints an object on the selected solid.165 -
. 2D and 3D polylines. bodies.e.

to other subobjects within the solid while holding the CTRL key.
Hold Toggle
the CTRL key and select the solid.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 16. or create a selection set of more than one subobject on any number of solids.169 -
.
2. Your selection set can also include more than one type of subobject.
1.
.
4.
Open
a drawing with 3D solid object and display in a 3D view. 3.1 Select and Manipulate Subobjects
You can select one subobject.
Click and drag
to modify the solid.

2.
4.
There are two types of grip tools: Move (3DMOVE command) Rotate (3DROTATE command
1.
Click and drag
to modify the solid using the grip tool. 3.
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 16. to other subobjects within the solid while holding the CTRL key.2 Use Grip Tools
Grip tools are icons that you use in a 3D view to easily constrain the movement or rotation of a selection set of objects to an axis or a plane.
Open
a drawing with 3D solid object and display in a 3D view.
Hold Toggle
the CTRL key and select the solid.170 -
.

1.
Hold
the CTRL and ALT keys and select the imprinted object or solid face to manipulate it. or by clicking the Presspull button on the dashboard and then picking the bounded area.
2.171 -
.
Click and drag
to a new location.3 Press or Pull Bounded Areas
You can press or pull bounded areas by pressing and holding CTRL + ALT. The area must be bounded by coplanar lines or edges.
3.
Open
a drawing with a 3D object and imprinted object and display in a 3D view.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 16.
.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17. Command: SECTIONPLANE Select face or any point to locate section line or [Draw section/Orthographic]: O Align section to: [Front/bAck/Top/Bottom/Left/Right] <Front>: FRONT (enter)
. Sectionplane.173 -
.
Open
a drawing with 3D solid objects and display in a plan and 3D view. you can move and manipulate it to finetune the sectional view you want.1 Sectionplane Command
The SECTIONPLANE command creates a section object that exposes the interior details of a model created with 3D objects. Once you create a section object. Modeling. or
Type
SECTIONPLANE at the command prompt.
2.
Choose
Draw.
1.

segment end grip base grip section line
menu grip
directional arrow grip
Base grip .2 Manipulate Section Using Grips
1. Click on a section line created using the SECTIONPLANE command. Click on one of the grips to manipulate the section.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17.moves the entire section object Directional arrow grip – changes the cutting plane direction Segment end grip .rotates the section object around the base grip Menu grip . 2.174 -
.moves between the three states
.

.3 Section Shortcut Commands
1. Click the various section options. 2. Right-click on a section line to see the following section options.175 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17.

4. 5.176 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17. 2.
. Generate 2D/3D section… the down arrow from the following dialog box to see all of the section options.
Choose Click
2D Section and Create. 3.4 Generate 2D and 3D Sections
1. Right-click Click Click on a section line. an insertion point and scale for the 2D section block.

5 Section Command
Uses the intersection of a plane and solids to create a region
1.
Open Type
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.0.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17.177 -
. Command: SECTION Select objects: pick solid and press enter Specify first point on Section plane by [Object/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: XY Specify a point on the XY-plane <0.0>: MID of
. 2. SECTION at the command prompt.

2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17. Open Choose a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view. Type SLICE at the command prompt. or 3.178 -
.0>: MID of Specify a point on desired side or [keep Both sides] <Both>:
. Command: slice Select objects to slice: 1 found Specify start point of slicing plane or [planar Object/Surface/Zaxis/View/XY/YZ/ZX/3points] <3points>: YZ Specify a point on the YZ-plane <0. Modify. 3D Operation.0. Slice.6 Slice Command
1.

SOLVIEW at the command prompt. Command: SOLVIEW Ucs/Ortho/Auxiliary/Section/<eXit>: O Pick side of viewport to project: pick bottom “front” of the viewport. View center: drag a point below the current viewport Specify first corner of viewport:click upper left corner Specify opposite corner of viewport: click lower right corner Enter view name: FRONT Enter an option [Ucs/Ortho/Auxiliary/Section]: enter

- 183 -

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials

New “FRONT” view

- 184 -

10 Soldraw
Generates profiles and sections in viewports created with SOLVIEW.
Resultant Section and Solid
. NOTE: If your object was an inserted block. SOLDRAW can only prepare viewports that have been created with SOLVIEW. 1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 17. you need to first explode it so it becomes a solid. Type SOLDRAW at the command prompt Command: SOLDRAW Select viewports to draw: Pick the front viewport created above Select objects: 1 found Select objects: enter 3 solids selected.185 -
.

Render. Command: RENDER
The following render window is the result of default rendering
.. Open Choose Type an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to render. 1.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 18. View.190 -
. 2. or RENDER at the command prompt. Render.. 3.1 Render Command
Creates a photorealistic or realistically shaded image of a threedimensional wireframe or solid model.

Close
the render preferences and render your objects to the viewport..191 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 18.2 Render Destination
You are able to determine the output site that the renderer uses to display the rendered image.
. Two options are the render window and viewport. Choose Type Click View. Render. 3. Command: RPERF the dropdown option for destination and choose Viewport. 1. 2.
4.. Advanced Render Settings. or RPREF at the command prompt.

. The render procedure has three settings: View.
4.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 18.. Choose Type Click View. or RPREF at the command prompt. Command: RPREF the dropdown option for Procedure and choose Selected. Advanced Render Settings.
. 2. and Selected. 3.
Close
the render preferences and render selected objects. This result is a selected object in the drawing that is rendered. Crop.4 Render Selection
Controls the parts of the model that gets processed during rendering.193 -
. 1. Render.

or manipulate in any imaging software application. 3. 6. 2.6 Render to File
1.
4. Close the render preferences and render your objects.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 18. Type RPREF at the command prompt. format. Adjust the image quality and click OK. 5. Click the small disk beside the title for “Render Content”. Click the option for Output file name.
The result is a rendered image to a file that you can copy .195 -
. and file name for your rendered objects.
Choose a location. print.
.

. You will notice that the Output file name option will be grayed out. 4. 3. Advanced Render Settings. View..
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 18.196 -
. Render.7 Turn Off Render to File
1. 2. Command: RPREF the small disk beside the title for “Render Content”. or RPREF at the command prompt. Open Choose Type Click an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to render.

197 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
AutoCAD 3D – Chapter 19 Materials
.

View. Render.1 Adding Material to a Drawing
1. Open Choose Type an AutoCAD drawing with 3D objects to add materials to.. or MATERIALS or MATBROSWEROPEN at the command prompt. Click Browse the categories button to see more swatches.
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 19. 2. 3. 5. the various materials in the Autodesk Library. Command: MATERIALS or MARBROWSEROPEN 4..198 -
. Materials Brower .

Select
an object and select a material.
. Click and drag the following materials into the document section of the materials browser.2 Apply Material to Objects
1.199 -
.
2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 19.

200 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
3. Type RENDER at the command prompt to see the new material applied in the drawing.
4.
Apply additional materials to objects and render the drawing.
.

Choose Eggshell as the finish.
.
Apply the material to a wall in the drawing. .209 -
.
8.
Render the drawing to see the newly created material.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
7.

4.210 -
. Render. Choose Type Click Name Click View. the material Photo.8 Create Photo as Material
1.. choose a photo image. Command: MATERIALS the Create Material button and New Generic Material.. 2. 3.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 19. or MATERIALS at the command prompt. Materials. 5.
The photo is added as an image material
. and click Open. the blank image box and navigate to the location where images are located.

8.211 -
. Choose Choose the dropdown option for Transforms.
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
6.
Apply
the material to the 3D face in the drawing. the dropdown for Repeat and set the Horizontal and Vertical repeats to None. 7.

Command: MATERIALS anywhere in Document Material section.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 19. 3. Purge All Unused. 2.
NOTE: You can only purge a material if it is not in use.
. Type Right-click Click MATERIALS at the command prompt.219 -
.12 Purge Materials from Drawings
1.

Scale and change both the width and height to 10’. Repeat and set both horizontal and vertical to None.. 8.220 -
. 4. 6. Command: MATERIALS Create Material and create a new generic material called Magnolia Tree. Image and add an image for a tree. 3. Choose Type Click Click Select Select Click Select Select View. 9. 2. Materials Broswer. Cutout and select the same image as the tree as a black and white cutout. or MATERIALS at the command prompt. Scale and change both the width and height to 10’. 7..
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
19. Repeat and set both horizontal and vertical to None. 5. Render.12 Cutout Materials
1.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
10. Apply the material to an object.
11.221 -
.
.
Set
the material mapping to planar.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
12.222 -
.
Objects should now be seen behind the cutout image. Render the viewport.
.

4. 2. Command: _VSMATERIALMODE Enter new value for VSMATERIALMODE <2>: 0 0=Materials OFF/Textures OFF 1= Materials ON/Textures OFF 2=Materials ON/Textures ON
. 3. Materials OFF from the Materials ribbon or VSMATERIALMODE at the command prompt. Open Set Choose Type a drawing with materials and textures added.12 Materials ON/OFF
1. the Visual Style to Realistic.225 -
.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 19.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
AutoCAD 3D – Chapter 20 Lights
.226 -
.

at the same time. Default lighting is derived from two distant sources that follow the viewpoint as you move around the model.
Choose
Default Lighting from the Lighting ribbon
or 2. You can apply default lighting to the viewport only. All faces in the model are illuminated so that they are visually discernible. You can control brightness and contrast.1 Default Lighting
When there are no lights in a scene. you can apply custom lights to the rendering. When you insert custom lights or add sunlight. but you do not need to create or place lights yourself.
ON/OFF
1. you can disable the default lighting.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. Command: DEFAULTLIGHTING Enter new value for DEFAULTLIGHTING <0>: 1
. Type DEFAULTLIGHTING at the command prompt. the scene is shaded with default lighting.227 -
.

0>: . 2.2 Point Lights
A point light radiates light in all directions from its location.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. or
3.
1. New Point Light.
Type
POINTLIGHT at the command prompt.
Click
Turn Off default lighting in the following prompt if default lighting was on:
Specify source location <0.XY of pick bottom center of bottle (need Z): 15 Enter an option to change [Name/Intensity/Status/shadoW/Attenuation/Color/ eXit] <eXit>: press enter 5. View. Command: POINTLIGHT
4.
. Light.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.228 -
. Render.0. Render the current viewport.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
View rendered using a point and spotlight
.231 -
.

Type
LIGHTLIST at the command prompt. Lightlist.
Open Choose
a drawing with lights. or
3. View. This includes turning lights off. 2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. or changing the properties of one or more lights.
Double-click the point light in the drawing to modify its properties. Light. deleting lights.4 Editing Lights with Light List
The lightlist command allows you to modify lights in a drawing. Command: LIGHTLIST
4.
. Render.232 -
.
1.

AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
Render the viewport to see the changes to the light
.233 -
.

5 Photometric Lights
For more precise control over lighting. and by varying the light intensity and color temperature. Then you can experiment with different fixtures. you can design a lighting system that produces the results you want.
Photometric lights can use manufacturers' IES standard file format.
. By using manufacturers’ lighting data.
Render
the viewport to see the current light settings with photometric lights off. LIGHTLIST to see the current lights in the drawing.
1. 2.
3.
Open Type
a drawing with lights. you can visualize commercially available lighting in your model. you can use photometric lights to illuminate your model.234 -
. You can create lights with various distribution and color characteristics.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. or import specific photometric files available from lighting manufacturers. Photometric lights use photometric (light energy) values that enable you to more accurately define lights as they would be in the real world.

6.
. 7. Command: LIGHTINGUNITS Enter new value for LIGHTINGUNITS <0>: 1 5.
Type Change
LIGHTLIST and double-click the Lamp Spotlight. the lamp color to Halogen and the Candela intensity to 150.235 -
. Render the viewport to see the current light settings with photometric lights on.
8.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
4.
Render
the viewport. Type LIGHTINGUNITS at the command prompt and set its value to 1 (on).

you can create a set of lights to create a light over a dining area. a block of the light fixture made up of the lights and fixture.
Insert
the block in the drawing and render the viewport. A luminary assembles a set of light objects into a light fixture. incandescent. low pressure sodium. and create a block of the light objects and the 3D representation of the light to create the light fixture with photometric properties.238 -
.
Open Create
a drawing with photometric lights and a light fixture. Tool palettes of photometric lights provide easy access to photometric lighting bulbs. lamps.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20.7 Luminaries
To create realistic lighting in a drawing. For example. You can select from fluorescent. and high intensity discharge types of lighting.
1. You can select the photometric lights from the tool palettes.
3. you can embed photometric lights in blocks that also contain geometry. position them within a 3D representation of the light. or webs. 2.
.

Render. Light.XY of MID P1 of (need Z): 5 Specify light direction TO <1.
1.1>: .0.1.0> or [Vector]: . 2.
Type
DISTANTLIGHT at the command prompt. New Distant Light. Command: DISTANTLIGHT Specify light direction FROM <0.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20.239 -
. View.XY of MID P2 of (need Z): 5 Enter an option to change [Name/Intensity/Status/shadoW/Color/eXit] <eXit>: enter
P2 P1
.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.8 Distant Lights
A distant light emits uniform parallel light rays in one direction only. or
3. You specify a FROM point and a TO point anywhere in the viewport to define the direction of the light. There is no light glyph to represent a distant light in your drawing.

This directional light distribution information is stored in a photometric data file in the IES format using the IES LM-63-1991 standard file format for photometric data.9 Other Lights
Weblights Photometric weblights provide real-world light distribution. The difference between the target point light and a point light is the additional target properties that are available. A target point light can also be created from a point light by changing the target property of the point light from No to Yes. A target light can be pointed to an object. This gives a far more precise representation of the rendered light than either spot or point lights are capable of.241 -
. The light icon represents the photometric web you select.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. Target Point Lights You create a target point light with the TARGETPOINT command. You can load photometric data files provided by various manufacturers under the Photometric Web panel in the Properties palette for the light.
Light that uses a photometric web can be added to a drawing by entering the commands WEBLIGHT and FREEWEB at the command prompt.
A photometric weblight (web) is a 3D representation of the light intensity distribution of a light source. Photometric weblights can be used to represent anisotropic (non-uniform) light distributions derived from data provided by manufacturers of real-world lights. A weblight targets an object whereas a freeweb light does not.
.

Open Choose
a drawing with a known geography and lights. Command: GEOGRAPHICLOCATION
4.
Type
GEOGRAPHICLOCATION at the command prompt. Light.242 -
.
.
5. Geographic Location. 2.10 Geographic Locations
Specifies the latitude and longitude of a location for the sunlight. or
3.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 20. Render.
Click
the Use Map…button.
1.
Choose
Enter the location values from the following dialog box. View.

Render.
Type
RENDERENVIRONMENT at the command prompt. 2.
Select
Enable Fog On and set the following near and far percents.
1. or
3..246 -
. Advanced Render Environment.. Command: RENDERENVIRONMENT
4.1 Render Environment
You can use environmental features to set up atmospheric effects or background images.
Before fog
After fog
.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view. View.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 21.

6. or a bitmap image. 5. Command: VIEW 4. 2. a multi-color gradient. Choose Type Click New… a name for your new view.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 21. Backgrounds can be a single color. Type VIEW at the command prompt.247 -
. Named Views. or 3. the drop down box under background and choose Solid. View. 7.2 Solid Background
A background is a backdrop that displays behind your model.
. 1. Choose a color for your solid background. Open Choose a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.

Set Render the new view to be the current view.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
8.
.248 -
. the viewport. 8.

Type
RPREF at the command prompt. transparency.1 Materials
Contains settings that affect how materials are handled by the renderer.. Advanced Render Settings.
1. Force 2-Sided Controls if both sides of faces are rendered. Texture Filtering Specifies how texture maps are filtered. 2. or
3. Command: RPREF
.
Open Choose
a drawing with 3D objects and display in a 3D view.. Render. all objects in the drawing assume the color. reflection. Apply Materials Applies the surface materials that you define and attach to an object in the drawing. If Apply Materials is not selected. and bump map attribute values defined for the GLOBAL material. roughness.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. diffuse.254 -
. ambient. View. refraction.

255 -
.
.2 Sampling
Controls how the renderer performs sampling. 1. An error dialog box is displayed if the Min Samples value is greater than the Max Samples value.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. Default=1/4. Command: RPREF
Min Samples Sets the minimum sample rate. The value represents the number of samples per pixel. If neighboring samples find a difference in contrast that exceeds the contrast limit. The values of the Min Samples and Max Samples lists are "locked" together so that the value of Min Samples can't exceed the value of Max Samples. A fractional value indicates that one sample is computed for every N pixels (for example. A value greater than or equal to 1 indicates that one or more samples are computed per pixel. Type RPREF at the command prompt. the area containing the contrast is subdivided to the depth specified by Maximum. Max Samples Sets the maximum sample rate. Default=1. 1/4 computes a minimum of one sample for every four pixels).

Green Specifies the threshold values for the red.G.B threshold values.256 -
. where 0. blue.. diminishing the effect of samples at the edge of the filter area. however. it will increase rendering time.0 indicates the color component is fully .0. Increasing the value of Filter Width and Filter Height can soften the image. Triangle Weights the samples using a pyramid centered on the pixel.] opens the Select Color dialog box where you interactively specify the R. Gauss Weights the samples using a Gauss (bell) curve centered on the pixel.0 to 1.. These values are normalized. Contrast Red. Mitchell Weights the samples using a curve (steeper than Gauss) centered on the pixel. Lanczos Weights the samples using a curve (steeper than Gauss) centered on the pixel. The filter types are: Box Sums all samples in the filter area with equal weight. Blue. Filter Width and Filter Height Specifies the size of the filtered area. This is the quickest sampling method. and range from 0. Contrast Color Clicking [. and green components of samples.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
Filter Type Determines how multiple samples are combined into a single pixel value.

or 0 in eight-bit encoding) to 1. This value is normalized.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
unsaturated (black.
.0 (fully opaque. or 0 in eight-bit encoding) and 1. or 255 in eight-bit encoding).0 indicates the color component is fully saturated (white. Contrast Alpha Specifies the threshold value for the alpha component of samples. and ranges from 0.0 (fully transparent.257 -
. or 255 in eight-bit encoding).

Sampling Multiplier Globally limits shadow sampling for area lights. Values are 0. Presentation:1.
. This allows draft and low quality presets to reduce area light sampling. all shadows are ray-traced. Command: rpref
Enable Specifies if shadows are computed during rendering. 1/2.
Segments. 1/4. 1.
Simple. The default value=1 for new presets.3 Shadows
Contains settings that affect how shadows appear in the rendered image. Generates shadow shaders in order. This is part of the rendering preset data. or Segments. Low:1/4. Sort. When off. Generates shadow shaders in order along the light ray from the volume shaders to the segments of the light ray between the object and the light. When on. 1.
Mode The shadow mode can be Simple.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. Type RPREF at the command prompt. 1/8. Sort. from the object to the light. Shadow Map Controls if shadow mapping is used to render shadows.258 -
. Med:1/2. It’s effect is to modulate the inherent sampling frequency specified for each light. High:1. the renderer renders shadow-mapped shadows. Draft: 0. 2.
Generates shadow shaders in a random order.

. but it cannot be reflected and refracted four times.4 Ray Tracing
Contains settings that affect the shading of a rendered image. a ray can be reflected twice and refracted once. no reflection occurs. no refraction occurs. the ray can be reflected twice. At 0. or vice versa. At 2.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. At 1.
1. and so on. Max Refractions Sets the number of times a ray can be refracted. At 2. Tracing of a ray stops when the total number of reflections and refractions reaches the maximum depth. and so on. the ray can be reflected once only.259 -
.
Type
RPREF at the command prompt. For example. the ray can be refracted twice. At 1. the ray can be refracted once only. At 0. Max Depth Limits the combination of reflection and refraction. Max Reflections Sets the number of times a ray can be reflected. Command: RPREF
Enable Specifies if ray tracing should be performed when shading. if Max Depth equals 3 and the two trace depths each equal the default value of 2.

the spinner value sets the size of photons. Decreasing this value makes global illumination more noisy but less blurry. Command: rpref
Enable Specifies if lights should cast indirect light into the scene.260 -
.
. When on.5 Illumination
Affects how your scene is illuminated. The larger the Samples value.
Photons/Samples Sets how many photons are used to compute the intensity of the global illumination. Increasing this value makes global illumination less noisy but also more blurry.
Use Radius Determines the size of photons.
Type
RPREF at the command prompt.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. When off. each photon is calculated to be 1/10 of the radius of the full scene.
1. the greater the rendering time.

no reflection occurs.261 -
. the photon can be reflected once only. the photon can be reflected twice. At 0. and so on. or vice versa.
Max Depth Limits the combination of reflection and refraction. At 2. no refraction occurs. At 1. the photon can be refracted twice. At 0.
Max Refractions Sets the number of times a photon can be refracted. At 2. a photon can be reflected twice and refracted once. if Max Depth equals 3 and the trace depths each equal 2.
. but it can’t be reflected and refracted four times. and so on. Reflection and refraction of a photon stop when the total number of both equals the Max Depth setting. the photon can be refracted once only. At 1.
Max Reflections Sets the number of times a photon can be reflected.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
Radius Specifies the area within which photons will be used when illuminance is computed. For example.

cooler colors.
1. The maximum irradiance is rendered in red.6 Diagnostic
Helps you understand why the renderer is behaving in a certain way. Shows world coordinates (XYZ). High density is displayed in red. or camera. The same coordinate system applies to all objects. but shades the photons based on their irradiance. Renders a visualization of the parameters used by the tree in the . the world. and lower values render in increasingly cooler colors. Irradiance. Renders the photon map as it is projected into the scene. Each object has its own coordinate space. Shows local coordinates (UVW). then replaces it with the pseudocolor image. This requires that a photon map be present. the Photon rendering looks just like the nondiagnostic rendering of the scene: the renderer first renders the shaded scene. If no photon map is present.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22. Renders the effect of a photon map. and lower values render in increasingly
Density.
Type
RPREF at the command prompt. Shows camera coordinates. which appear as a rectangular grid superimposed on the view.262 -
BSP
. Sets the size of the grid. Similar to the Density rendering. Command: RPREF
Grid Object World Camera Grid Size Photon
Renders an image that shows the coordinate space of objects.

Depth. Shows the size of leaves in the tree. If a message from the renderer reports excessively large depth or size values.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials
BSP ray-trace acceleration method. this can help you locate the problem. Size. Shows the depth of the tree. and increasingly deep faces in increasingly cool colors. with differently sized leaves indicated by different colors. or if rendering seems unusually slow.
. with top faces in bright red.263 -
.

the number of image updates increases. from bottom to top. top to bottom. and spiral outward. Tiles are rendered in rows. Left to Right. When the tile size is reduced. Right to Left. meaning that a rendering take longer to complete. Tiles are rendered beginning at the center of the image. fewer image updates occur and the rendering takes less time to complete.AutoCAD 3D Tutorials 22.264 -
. Determines the memory limit for rendering. If the memory limit is reached. right to left. Bottom to Top. the image is subdivided into tiles.
Tile Order
Hilbert. Tiles are rendered in columns. Top to Bottom. from right to left. Tiles are rendered in rows. Spiral. The renderer keeps a count of the memory it uses at render time. the geometry for some objects is discarded in order to allocate memory for other objects. To render the scene. Tiles are rendered in columns.If the tile size is increased.7 Processing
1. from right to left. bottom to top. You can choose a method based on you prefer to see the image appear as it renders in the Render Window. Next tile to be rendered is based on the cost of switching to the next one. Type RPREF at the command prompt. left to right. Command: RPREF
Tile Size
Determines the tile size for rendering. The smaller the tile size. Memory Limit
. Specifies the method used (render order) for tiles as an image is rendered. from bottom to top. the more image updates are generated during rendering.